Appalling deaths overseas put focus on foreign policy

The deadly attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya is an unadulterated outrage, one that is sure to put foreign policy back in prominent discussion in this campaign season that has focused almost exclusively on the economy and social issues.

Americans are undoubtedly incensed to see an overseas' diplomatic post under siege, especially on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

While the killings in Libya were the worst of it, protesters in Egypt also scaled the walls of the U.S. embassy there and burned an American flag flying at half-staff for the 9/11 anniversary.

Tuesday's violence, apparently fueled by an American-made film about Islam's Prophet Muhammad, killed the U.S. ambassador in Libya and three American members of his staff.

President Barack Obama has sensibly ordered increased security at U.S. diplomatic posts around the world, but the repercussions of what transpired Tuesday won't be known for some time.

Ambassador Chris Stevens was a career diplomat who has served in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Israel and was in Libya in 2011 when Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was killed by revolutionaries promising major reforms. Gadhafi and Libya got caught up in the so-called "Arab Spring," massive uprisings that have occurred in Tunisia, Egypt and Syria as well.

Unquestionably, these new emerging governments are all going to be tested on whether they can instill stability in their countries - and whether they can bring to justice those who go beyond mere protests and commit acts of violence. They also are going to have to figure out, in the Internet age, how to allow for free speech in some places that historically met dissent with imprisonment or a bullet.

The relatively obscure film titled "Innocence of Muslims," has been promoted by Terry Jones, the Florida pastor who in the past has burned copies of the Quran and has disavowed Islam as a religion.

Islam, of course, isn't the problem - Islamic extremists involved in violence and terrorism acts are. That's true of every religion that has had to contend with fringe elements throughout the world's bloody history, including the Ku Klux Klan and Norwegian Anders Behring Breivik, who massacred 77 people in 2011 after blaming Muslim immigration for virtually all of Europe's ills.

Tuesday's killings in Libya and the violence elsewhere were stark reminders that intolerance still exists everywhere - and the post "Arab Spring" is a turbulent, transitory time that deserves far more attention from Americans than it has been getting.

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Appalling deaths overseas put focus on foreign policy

The deadly attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya is an unadulterated outrage, one that is sure to put foreign policy back in prominent discussion in this campaign season that has focused almost